1987 Monte Carlo with 22-inch rims

Slow Gator news day today...

So here's an interesting fact. When searching Yahoo for 1987 Monte Carlo with 22-inch rims, my site comes up first. Maybe even slightly more interesting is the fact that someone was searching for this and came to my website.

Update 11:50am: Now my site comes up second. Ridiculous. I need to target the internet surfers looking for badass cars. Ebay motors is hijacking my traffic!

Double-double for Udonis Haslem

Former Gator Udonis Haslem grabbed a game high 19 rebounds on the way to a double-double in Miami's game three playoff win against New Jersey.

High School sophomore commits to Florida

He doesn't graduate until 2007, but Nick Calathes has already decided he'll play college ball for Florida.

As mentioned here before, Billy Donovan offered Calathes a scholarship, which placed the young standout in good company. The only other high school sophomores to receive such an offer from Donovan were Teddy Dupay, Mike Miller and Brett Nelson. Calathes has now officially accepted that offer.

Update 4/29: Check out the Orlando Sentinel for more details. From that article:

Miami, Florida State and Wake Forest also had offered scholarships this week.
"Florida loves Nick's court sense and his passing ability, his toughness," Lake Howell Coach Reggie Kohn said. "And the fact that he's a winner. They describe Nick at this age as being like Mike Miller was in high school."

Swamp Things

The student section at Florida Field has been dubbed "The Swamp Things."

Grizzlies down 2-0 in the NBA playoffs

Former Gator Jason Williams scored a career playoff high 21 points in the Grizzlies' game two loss to Phoenix. Former Florida star Mike Miller was ineffectual, as the Suns held him to just 3 points.

Gators a preseason number 5?

Believe it. Though, SI does admit these rankings are entirely based on spring practice and are sure to fluctuate from now until the fall.

Thanks to the guys at EDSBS for the heads up.

Wow, I totally forgot about this guy

Former Gator center Mario Boggan is back in division 1-A basketball. Boggan played for Florida his freshman year, but left UF because he wasn't getting much playing time. He spent last season at Chipola Junior College, and now he's headed to Oklahoma State.

Boggan averaged only 2.3 points per game at Florida, with only limited playing time. At Chipola, he poured in more than 20 points per game. The Cowboys believe he can make an immediate impact at OSU, and he still has two years of eligibility remaining.

A side note: The Gainesville Sun mentions the fact that Boggan dropped some weight while at Chipola. But are the numbers too good to be true? UF listed Boggan as 2'6", 313 pounds. Oklahoma State will get him at 2'8", 250 pounds. That's a big difference.

The future looks bright for Crowder and Fason

Gator linebacker Channing Crowder and Gator runningback Ciatrick Fason have a chance to make a real impact in the NFL.

(AP Photo via Gatorsports.com)

Crowder heads to Miami where the Dolphins are in need of a guy with his size and quickness. From Scout.com (via Yahoo):

The Miami Dolphins lost the guy I considered their best young linebacker last month when Morlon Greenwood signed with the Houston Texans. His departure combined with the advancing age of Junior Seau leave Zac Thomas sorta alone in the 'Fins linebacking corps. That's where Crowder fits in.

(Gatorsports.com)

And Fason could surpass other backs at Minnesota, where a couple of big plays could really impress the staff. More from Scout.com (via Yahoo):

The top guy at Minnesota is kind of tough to define. Onterrio Smith led the team last year with 544 yards but Michael Bennett made the Pro Bowl just two years ago. Add in Moe Williams and Mewelde Moore and there's a traffic jam in the Vikings' backfield. Fason is likely the fastest of the four and Minnesota has long been all about big plays.

Reaction from Crowder and Fason

Three Gators are headed to the NFL following this year's draft. Channing Crowder is now a Miami Dolphin, Ciatrick Fason is a Minnesota Viking, and Reynaldo Hill is a Tennessee Titan.

Here's what Crowder told the Tampa Tribune about his future in the NFL, considering his off-the-field trouble at Florida:

``I don't know. There is a lot of speculation,'' Crowder said. ``I'm trying to stay away from that now. That happened. You've just got to go with it. I'm trying to have a good career and look forward to the future with the Dolphins.''

Here's what Fason had to say about his own outlook:

``I always said no matter which round I got drafted in I was going to be the steal of the draft, because I was a very underrated prospect,'' Fason said. ``People say they don't know much about, me but I'm just ready to showcase my skills at the next level and prove a lot of people wrong.''

Titans grab Reynaldo Hill

Reynaldo Hill was the third and last of the Florida Gators to get picked in the NFL draft. The Titans chose Hill with selection number 218 in round seven.

Vikings take Fason

The Minnesota Vikings picked up Gator runningback Ciatrick Fason with pick number 112 in the 4th round of the NFL draft.

Dolphins take Crowder in NFL draft

The Miami Dolphins chose Gator linebacker Channing Crowder with pick number 70 in the third round of the NFL draft.

Grizzlies' playoff hopes

(CNNSI)

Former Gators Mike Miller and Jason Williams (along with the rest of the Memphis Grizzlies) have an uphill battle against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA playoffs.

CNNSI breaks down the matchups. Here's what they're saying about the former Florida standouts:

Jason Williams and Earl Watson must hound [Steve] Nash up the court as much as possible and make him work. They must keep him out of the paint. At the other end they must punish him with screens and a steady diet of pick-and-rolls. If they can wear him out, the Grizzlies stand a chance.
...[Joe Johnson will] have his hands full with Miller (13.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.9 apg), who ranked fourth in the NBA from downtown (43.3) and 17th in overall field-goal percentage (50.5). Miller's offense figures to be a key for Memphis if it hopes to keep pace with the high-scoring Suns. Coming off of a bad playoff series against the Spurs a year ago (in which he battled back pain), Miller will be looking for redemption.

Crowder slipping?

Draft analysts predict Florida linebacker Channing Crowder may slide to the third round of the NFL draft. Teams may be concerned about his health as well as his off-the-field attitude.

Scary Steve Spurrier

Check out EDSBS for a scary picture of the Ol' Ball Coach shirtless.

Channing Crowder battles image issues

(scout.com)

Gator linebacker Channing Crowder is a hot prospect for Saturday's NFL draft. But some teams are concerned about his bad boy image. From an Orlando Sentinel profile on Crowder:

To some, Crowder looks like a thug. Those cornrows and tattoos. And that orange 1987 Monte Carlo with the 22-inch rims, the one with the speakers that pump bass so loud that the Gainesville Police Department had to issue him a citation for noise pollution.
...There have been two arrests, both for fighting outside the same nightclub in Gainesville.
..."They'll say, 'It appears you're a monster in a cage,' " says Crowder, referring to his two charges of disorderly conduct. "People think I'm wild and crazy -- a time bomb. They all say, 'He's a thug.'
He began to realize his temper was jeopardizing his future in the NFL...
He stopped going to those nightclubs. He weaned himself from alcohol. Most important, he stopped associating himself with violence so no one else could associate him with it, either.
..."Everybody just thinks I'm a crazy monster," Crowder says. "People think I'm a wild animal who sits in a cage and snarls until Saturday, when they put a helmet on my head and let me loose on a football field. But I know who I am. That's all that matters to me."

Grizzlies headed for NBA playoffs

(AP photo)

In case you haven't been keeping up with the NBA this season, former gator standouts Mike Miller and Jason Williams are headed to the playoffs.

Technically, the Memphis Grizzlies earned the final Western Conference playoff slot Sunday, when Minnesota was eliminated after losing to Seattle. But Monday's win against San Antonio, with a Mike Miller buzzer beater, makes the bid a little more convincing.

Donovan makes an offer a sophomore can't refuse

Billy Donovan has offered a future scholarship to high school sophomore Nick Calathes. The Nike Team Florida Raptors forward is already 6'4" and he's still growing.

This is only the fourth time Donovan has made such an offer. The others were Teddy Dupay, Mike Miller and Brett Nelson. Calathes is in good company.

Update on Brumbaugh

Yesterday, I mentioned high school senior Keith Brumbaugh. He's getting a lot of attention these days, and is considering a direct jump to the NBA. But according to the Orlando Sentinel, he's leaning toward college, and UF is one of his top choices:

With all signs pointing him toward college, not the NBA, Keith Brumbaugh of DeLand has said USC and Florida are now his two favored college teams.

Freshmen could help fill Roberson's shoes

If Anthony Roberson makes the leap to the NBA, Billy Donovan has one freshman standout waiting for a shot at starting point guard. Walter Hodge is the Florida Gatorade State Player of the Year, and he was named MVP of the state 3A tournament.

But there's another high school senior who could soon get a even more attention in Gainesville. If Roberson heads out, that leaves one scholarship slot open. Some people are hoping that slot goes to 6'8" forward Keith Brumbaugh. Brumbaugh is considering going straight to the NBA, but he's not likely to be a first round pick. That makes college a bit more enticing. From the Alligator:

Although he’s rated as the top recruit in the state of Florida, there’s been some concern about Brumbaugh’s attitude and if Donovan would be willing to sign a guy some consider a head case.
[scout.com] said it should be a no-brainer

Major Parker will spend time behind bars

Major Parker, a former team captain that helped lead the Florida Gator basketball squad to the 2000 NCAA national title game, pleaded guilty to drug charges. Parker was arrested late last year for allegedly selling half a kilo of cocaine to an undercover cop. He has now pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute. From the Tampa Tribune:

"Did you, in fact, do what the government says you did?" Mickle asked Parker. "Yes sir," Parker replied, with a crack in his voice and a shake in his legs.
...Parker could face a minimum of five years to a maximum of 40 years in prison without the possibility of parole, a $4 million fine and five years of supervised release.

The Urbies

What could I post that might be more important than the news that Anthony Roberson and Matt Walsh declared for the NBA draft? Well, the first ever Urbies, that's what. The Gainesville Sun describes the most notable performances from Gator Football spring practice (with awards named after our new coach).

Roberson and Walsh take a shot at the NBA

Gainesville is buzzing this morning. We all knew Gator guard Anthony Roberson was considering the NBA draft, but now the Florida squad may lose two stars to the NBA.

Roberson and guard Matt Walsh both announced they will submit their names to the NBA draft. Both players are juniors, meaning they'll forego their senior seasons if they have a shot at a decent draft pick. However, neither player has hired an agent, leaving open the possibility of staying at UF for the 2005-2006 season.

This would be a big blow to the team. Gator slam dunk champ David Lee graduates this year. If Roberson and Walsh head out, Florida loses each of the "big three."

Gator hoops in '06

Looks like ESPN is getting started early. We still don't know who's going to declare for the NBA draft, and the freshman recruits still need to sign, but Joe Lunardi already has Florida slated as a 2 seed for the Big Dance in 2006.

Thanks to the Sportz Assassin for the heads up.

Dickey may not be around in fall

Backup quarterback Gavin Dickey is getting some attention from pro scouts... on the baseball field. The two-sport sophomore will be eligible for the MLB draft after this season. Dickey hasn't made any decisions, but scouts say he has a chance. Before anything happens though, Urban Meyer wants to have a chat with him. From the Gainesville Sun:

"It's a concern, but with a great baseball player that's something that can come up," said Meyer, who himself was drafted in the 13th round by the Atlanta Braves in 1982. "I would hope that since I've been through it, he would want my advice."

Don't get arrested

Urban Meyer knows spring practice was a huge success, but there's still work to be done. First, the guys need to bulk up in the weight room. Second, the wide receivers need to keep up the pace, allowing them to repeat their spring performance in fall.

And most importantly, the Florida players are not allowed to get arrested. From the Alligator:

"All you have to do is [check] ESPN.com, CBSsportsline.com and all those things every morning to see what’s going on, and it’s shocking," Meyer said.
"...Instead of being a weight and training staff that kind of closes [its] eyes and hopes nothing bad happens, we’re going to look into their eyes and tell what’s going on," Meyer said. "If you do your homework and grind it, you can find out how your players are living."

Wait a minute... ESPN.com, CBSsportsline.com? What about floridafan.blogspot.com? Damn.

Major Parker may accept a plea bargain

Former Gator forward Major Parker was arrested back in December when he and a co-defendant allegedly tried to sell half a kilo of cocaine to an undercover cop in Gainesville. Parker pleaded not guilty and his trial was set to begin today after a nearly two month delay. But The Orlando Sentinel is reporting Parker has scheduled to change his plea. That indicates he may accept a plea bargain, allowing him to avoid trial.

Parker was a team captain on the Gator squad that made it to the national title game in 2000. After graduating, he worked for Florida as special assistant to Billy Donovan.

Hot shot point guard commits to Florida

Anthony Roberson is still mulling over whether he'll declare for the NBA draft. But whether he stays or goes, Florida could definitely use some solid depth at point guard.

That's what Florida Air Academy's Walter Hodge should bring. The Class 3A Player of the Year verbally committed to the Gators for the 2005 recruiting class, saying he intends to sign in spring.

And there is a bit of news on the Roberson front. According to the Gainesville Sun, he says he'll announce his decision later this month.

Final report card on spring practice

Gator Country sums it all up. I'll give you the grades, but you'll have to check out Gator Country for the details.

Offense: B
Quarterback: B+
Running Back: B+
Receivers: A+
Tackles: B+
Centers/Guards: B
Defense: B+
Ends: A
Tackles: A
Linebackers: B
Corners: B-
Safeties: A
Special Teams: B-
Placekicking: B-
Punting: B
Overall Grade: B+

Road trip to Gainesville

Want the whole story on the Orange and Blue Game? Orson took a road trip and brought back detailed notes.

17-year-old QB in line for backup slot

Yeah, Chris Leak had a good game Saturday in the spring scrimmage, but Josh Portis was also impressive as he moved one step closer to the backup quarterback slot. The freshman went 20 of 30 for 253 yards. Not bad for a 17-year-old.

What have we learned from spring practice?

The Tampa Tribune tries to answer that question following Saturday's Orange and Blue Game.
First, accountability:

From The Pit, a torture chamber that encourages players with nagging injuries to practice, to color- coding players based on their class performance and behavior, Meyer has proven he will hold the Gators accountable.

Second, Chris Leak has a little help this year:

...the Gators have offensive weapons besides receiver Chad Jackson. [Dallas] Baker caught three touchdown passes Saturday, former Jefferson High star Andre Caldwell caught one and freshman tailback Markus Manson rushed for 68 yards.

And third, this may be the most important offseason ever for the Gators:

...now that Meyer has passed his first practice test, he can start cramming for the real thing...
``Talented teams that don't get developed aren't very good,'' Meyer said. ``If we don't get developed in the offseason, then we have problems.''

So how did they do?

Well, the Orange and Blue Game was all about offense. Final score: 34-28. Quarterback Chris Leak shined with four touchdown passes and 221 passing yards, while wide receiver Dallas Baker dazzled the crowd with some impressive grabs. The Alligator has more details.

The Sporting News (Fox Sports) has a ton of extra info, including post-game Q and A with coach Meyer.

The Swamp is buzzing

Urban Meyer brought excitement back to The Swamp, as the Gators shattered the attendance record for the Orange and Blue spring scrimmage game by 20,000.

Florida's new offense under coach Meyer

Urban Meyer's spread option offense makes its debut today at the Orange and Blue Game. What can we expect? The Gainesville Sun tries to explain:

A spread offense (four and five wide receivers, one back and the quarterback in the shotgun) that features elements of both an option running attack and a pro-style passing attack. Each formation, each play, has multiple options designed to create mismatches against the defense...
"In this offense, if you're not ready to defend the Gators, they'll put 50 points up on you in a half. It has that kind of explosiveness," said ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit. "If I were a Gator fan I'd be looking forward to seeing it."

Doc Holliday is here to stay

Florida safeties coach Doc Holliday announced he has turned down any potential offer to become the next head coach of Marshall. Good news for Gator fans.

Dear Utah, thanks for your coach

Gator fans have huge expectations of Urban Meyer. According to CBS Sportsline, 35% of Florida fans expect a national title within two years. Here's to hoping.

(Getty Images)

Looking ahead

From CBS Sportsline, a look ahead at next season for Florida Gator basketball.

Orange and Blue Game

More than 50,000 are expected to attend this year's Orange and Blue Game.

Urban Meyer and "The Pit"

Today, a Gainesville Sun columnist talks about Urban Meyer's progress so far and the reaction he's getting from players and fans. Here's a quote from the article about "The Pit," Meyer's system for having injured players work out in unusual ways, while healthy players practice:

"I've gotten several e-mails questioning the tactics, especially The Pit where injured players appear to be punished for their injuries. Meyer said it goes back to his playing days when he was annoyed that players who stood on the sidelines all day at practice sat among the players who had worked hard. He wanted to make sure that everybody works hard at practice, injured or not. Obviously, African-American athletes in the 21st century (or any other century) should never be required to wear chains - which I have been told will not happen again..."

Doc Holliday may be on his way out

The Alligator interviewed Gator assistant coach Doc Holliday about the rumors that he's being considered for the head coaching job at Marshall:

“It’s no secret, I went up there,” said Holliday, “Right now, I haven’t made any decisions"...
...“Any assistant coach wants to become a head coach, but other than that I have no comment.”

An Alligator columnist weighs in, taking a look at how that move could impact Florida's season.

The Times Union in Jacksonville says Holliday's the front runner for the job, citing an unnamed source.

Young gun

A 17-year-old is competing for the backup quarterback slot at Florida. Josh Portis is the youngest guy on the roster, but he's already impressing coaches.

The Red Rocket rules!

Matt Bonner's flying under the radar in the NBA these days, playing for Toronto. The former Gator is a Raptor, and Toronto fans are taking notice, dubbing him the Red Rocket. The Alligator has an update on Bonner and his potential in the NBA. Here's a look at a few of his numbers (from the Alligator article):

• Bonner has scored 10 points or more 23 times this season.
  
• He’s drained 36 threes, 34 of those within the last three months.
  
• And Bonner’s field-goal percentage of 54.6 percent? That would be fourth behind only Shaquille O’Neal, Amare Stoudamire and Yao Ming.
  

More quotes from Meyer

Urban Meyer had a few kind words for the guys on defense regarding their spring progress, but he's still not happy with the offense. The Florida coach called out Jim Tartt, a freshman on the starting offensive line. From the Gainesville Sun:

"What happens is you put a freshman in the starting lineup and Jim Tartt is struggling," Meyer said. "And if one guy struggles on offense, it's a mess.

In the same article, Meyer discusses junior quarterback Gavin Dickey's injury. Dickey plays both football and baseball for Florida. He sat out Monday's spring practice, because he got a deep heel bruise as he crossed the first base bag in Saturday's win over Kentucky. Meyer's comments:

"I could teach him how to run through first base without bruising your damn heel," said Meyer, who briefly play minor league baseball. "I don't think it's serious."